Vertonghen expects Spurs to cope without Bale

Jan Vertonghen believes Tottenham Hotspur's victory over Swansea City on Sunday shows they are not reliant on Gareth Bale.

Bale has been in fine form this season but has been out of action for two weeks with a hamstring injury.

However, Spurs claimed a deserved 1-0 win against Swansea at the weekend with Clint Dempsey filling in for the Wales international, and Vertonghen feels it is testament to the strength of the squad.

"Maybe we needed a little more width on the pitch but Clint has replaced Gareth very well, like he has done with all the strikers already," he said. "Of course Gareth is a world-class player, but we did well without him.

"We have a big squad but have had too many injuries, but even without those players we've played quite well.